Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Friday, 20 April 2007, 17:06 GMT 18:06 UK

The View hand big break to band

The View Rock band The View chose an unsigned three-piece group to support them at a gig in Norwich - just hours before the Friday concert began.

Local group Monroes were picked after the Dundee-based band launched an urgent appeal to find new talent after their support band dropped out.

The idea was inspired by The View's big break, when they handed a demo to Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty.

Monroes drummer Lenny Rout said he was "nervous and excited".

The group, made up of three 18-year-old students, have been together for two years and have performed in and around Norwich.

Rout likens their sound to "indie new wave with ska and reggae influences".

Monroes

During Friday, The View put out an urgent appeal for interested bands to drop off demo tapes at their tour bus at the University of East Anglia, where the gig was staged.

Before the decision was made, The View's guitarist Peter Reilly told the BBC News website: "We thought it would be a good idea to give them a chance.

"Because we knocked on Doherty's tour bus, and he gave us a chance, it's kind of returning the favour."

Unsigned talent

Reilly said the band planned to search for more unsigned talent in the future.

"It's good to give a band a chance. There's always room to fit a band on your bill," he said.

The band listened to more than 50 demo tapes before picking their favourite.

"It's good to give a band a chance - there's always room to fit a band on your bill"
Peter Reilly, The View's lead guitarist

Peter Reilly

Manager Grant Dickson said he was "blown away" by the response, saying he was "amazingly surprised at how many good bands are around".

The View have enjoyed huge success with their brand of guitar rock since their debut album, Hats Off to the Buskers, topped the chart following its release in January.

Last month they launched a public appeal for lookalikes to take part in a music video.


Did you see The Monroes support The View in Norwich? If so, please tell us what you thought of them by using the form below.

Name


Your E-mail address


Town & Country


Comments


The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.

Terms & Conditions




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Band seeks youths for music video (13 Mar 07 |  Tayside and Central )
The View to play homecoming gig (09 Mar 07 |  Tayside and Central )
The View singer's cocaine penalty (02 Mar 07 |  Tayside and Central )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
University of East Anglia
The View
Monroes on MySpace
The View on MySpace
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©